It’s no secret that big, talented power forwards are beloved in Boston. Milan Lucic is already well-liked among Bruins fans even if he might not ever live up to Cam Neely’s lofty legacy. While he acknowledges that it’s just a rumor, CSNNE.com’s Joe Haggerty believes that a David Krejci + low first-round pick package could very well nab Anaheim Ducks power forward Bobby Ryan.

Haggerty also argues that the deal could very well be worth it for Boston.

But a trade with the Anaheim Ducks for a 6-foot-2, 218-pound right wing that’s put up 136 goals and 259 points in 334 career games is the one deal that conservative GM Peter Chiarelli might not be able to say “no thanks” to. If the trade does indeed include Krejci and a first rounder expected to be in the 25-30 range to an Anaheim club looking to shore up their center depth between Ryan Getzlaf and Saku Koivu, then the pieces appear to be in place for both sides.

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One former teammate of Ryan’s said he was “a good kid” during his early years in Anaheim as a 20-year-old rookie, and his personality wouldn’t be a problem within the Bruins dressing room.

Instead it seems to be more about salary and cap hit with the Ducks looking to create a more balanced front line with depth and strength down the middle of the ice.

Meanwhile the Bruins covet size, strength and skill on the wing, and Ryan represents all three of those things. But Ryan has also spoken openly about his desire to severe ties with the Ducks after they’ve tossed his name on the trade block multiple times, and now the pressure is on Anaheim to deal an obviously unhappy player before training camp opens in September.

Honestly, it would be a solid coup if the Ducks could land a strong (and underrated) player like Krejci plus a decent draft pick for Ryan.

As Haggerty points out, the two players have a lot in common in the comparable amount of points they’ve put up in their careers, their age and even their affordable cap hits. It’s true that Ryan has superior size and is a more prolific goal-scorer – two of the most desired assets in the NHL – but the Ducks are also lacking some leverage because everyone knows that Ryan wants out. Getting a comparable (if more subtle) scoring center and an asset for that talented winger would be quite the strong work considering the situation.

(One might even compare it to the Atlanta Thrashers wrangling Marian Hossa and Greg de Vries for Dany Heatley despite being in an even more awkward conundrum many moons ago.)

Still, the Bruins would be dealing from an area of strength (center depth) to add the kind of winger who would probably fit in well in Beantown. Giving up a nice package might not matter much if Ryan thrives like many imagine he could – especially if Nathan Horton‘s concussion issues persist.

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How do you feel about the idea, though? Would Boston give up too much in the scenario? Is Krejci actually better than Ryan, anyway? Share your thoughts in the comments.

They already have a lot of depth at center with Chris Kelly, Patrice Bergeron and Tyler Seguin. The Bruins also have a lot of young players in their system thanks to the Maple Leafs so they can afford to give up a draft pick and a center for a talented power forward.

joshuakorr - Jul 13, 2012 at 11:27 PM

I doubt Peter Chiarelli makes this trade. No Krejci = no cup. He was the B’s leading points scorer during the 2011 playoffs and when he’s not on his game the team is not nearly as good. Boston can’t give up its first line center. You need strength down the middle to win. They’d be better off paying $30M for Doan w.out giving up Krejci, but the current cap situation makes the unlikely.

Coming from the Bruins side of it, I actually think its a wonderful deal for both sides, but that the B’s might have to give up a little more than Krejci and a first round pick.

The Ducks could use less of a scorer who is a consummate facilitator. That is Krejci. He makes everyone around him better. He’s a 20+ goal scorer with 40+ assist capability. That is precisely what the Ducks need in my opinion. He also has a history of being a superlative playoff player, rising to the occasion when it counts the most.

From the B’s perspective, we lack the finisher and the net front presence that Ryan can provide. He would devastate the Northeast when matched with Seguin and another winger.

As to the compensation, I think the Ducks can probably get Krejci, Knight (solid prospect) and a 2nd or 3rd round pick out of the deal. If they prefer Krejci plus the late first round pick instead, that’s more than fine.

I think the B’s should move on this and do the deal, even if it results in a slight overpay. Lacking Recchi, having a tenuous Horton on the roster and sans the goaltending of Thomas, they really MUST bring in a transcendant finisher to offset the losses of the last season.

Bruins have Bergeron, Seguin, Kelly and Campbell as centers..I think even Peverley has always been a center but the Bs put him on the wing most times, which comes in handy since the refs like to kick players out of the circle so often. That being said, I want Seguin to move to his natural position but he would really need to step up in that role if Krejci leaves. Krejci is a competitor and it shows comes playoff time. Seguin hasn’t shown that yet. I dont think it’s as easy as simply putting Seguin in his spot. Would love to see Ryan here though. Between Ryan, Lucic, and Horton, they would have some real power up front, the latter of who are playing for contracts.

That being said, I think it is dangerous to deal for ‘names’. Ryan is a big name right now. On paper, it looks great pairing Ryan with Seguin. That would eliminate the already proven trio of Lucic, Krejci , Horton though. Seguin is somewhat unproven as a center and who knows how Ryan will perform in Boston and in this system. It is choosing between what you know and what you don’t, I guess. Both could be great options or they could be bad. Maybe Ryan flourishes, maybe he doesnt. Maybe the current trio has become complacent or maybe they are just getting started. The better bet is going with what you know, I would argue…

dolanster - Jul 14, 2012 at 12:10 AM

Ryan is for real. As a Bruins’ fan in SoCal I’d love to see this deal happen. I’m not a Krejci-hater, but he’s an elegant playmaker who’s style isn’t a natural fit for Boston. He’s Bergeron light, and I’d much rather stack up a guy with speed, power, and hands. That’s Ryan. He’d thrive in Boston and I believe Krejci would do well in Anaheim. Makes sense for both sides. Do it.

The more I think about it, my interest in this sort of deal is because I think the Bs need another top 6 guy to make a real run..that’s another guy added to the current group, including Krejci. Krejci is too good in the playoffs and is somewhat of a ‘secret’ because he comes out of nowhere sometimes. If Ryan were a UFA, I would be all over signing him, or thinking about ways they could sign him. I’ve always liked the idea of:
Lucic – Krejci -Horton
UFA – Bergeron – Seguin
Marchand – Kelly – Peverley
Not sure that level of UFA is out there anymore, unless the Bs are the ones offering Doan 30 mill..I would love Doan on this team. I can’t completely get behind giving Krejci up though in a trade for anyone, even Ryan. He just clicks with this team and that is more important than the big name player when it comes down to it. It’s why they won the cup and why he finished first in playoff pts that year.

travishenryskid - Jul 14, 2012 at 9:06 AM

Not enough going to the Ducks.

gallyhatch - Jul 14, 2012 at 9:20 AM

As far as I’m concerned, Rask, Seguin & Doug Hamilton should be the only untouchables in the Bruins’ system. Everyone else should be fair game.
I’m fine with them moving Krejci. Yes, he was the points leader in the playoffs in 2011, but where the hell was that guy for the entire 2012 season?
And FWIW the Krejci/Horton/Lucic line is quite possibly a thing of the past thanks to Horton’s concussion issues, which is all the more reason why they should make this trade.

The problem I have as B’s fan is that Krejci is the only one who is a true play maker on the team. Bergy is the best 2 way forward in hockey, but isn’t as creative or nifty with the puck. With a PP that is already dreadful, taking the best play maker off the team is not wise. Do we really want to break up Segs,Bergy & Marchy? Kelly and Peverely are not player makers and will NEVER be second line centers. PC probably will regret keeping both.

According to multiple sources, Flyers offered voracek, mez and a pick…. Ducks said no.
Since that package is far greater than the package talked about here, this does not seem plausible.
I mean voracek alone is worth more than this package, that guy has shown major talent waiting to get a shot on a first line.

Sorry but I think the B’s package would need to be something more like Lucic, Marchand, Mcquaid…

dolanster - Jul 14, 2012 at 11:37 AM

All due respect, but you’re high if you think Voracek is worth more than Krejci. He’s a good kid and a budding talent but he’s never had more than 18 g or 50 pts. Krejci is a +20 goal guy, who’s had +70 pts, was the playoff point leader and has the ring. His experience is worth something as well, meaning he knows how to win and how to be in the room (unlike Ryan). If I’m the Ducks I find Krejci much more attractive than Voracek. A Lucic, Marchand, McQuaid deal is Nash-sized, not Ryan.

Agreed..I just don’t think many people know much about Krejci. “Under-estimated” is thrown around a lot nowadays but I think he falls into that category. When he is on, he is a top-level talent. He is streaky..I will say that. Not sure I would want him to leave unless I knew Seguin could compete the way Krejci does and become the playmaker we all want him to be. No way of knowing that though.

Lucic won’t be traded. The price may need to come down a bit for Ryan, which might happen since he has stated he wants out… Any deal the Bruins do though won’t include Lucic. I really only see Krejci, and maybe Marchand, being the only possible pieces in a Bruins trade…unlikely, but possible. Marchand is in a contract year though…

dolanster - Jul 14, 2012 at 12:14 PM

Krejci + Marchand is way too much for Ryan, but I could see Krejci + Marchand + pick(s) for Nash happening. Howson is not going to see an offer from anyone else that includes two better top 6 currently active forwards.

Both together is too much, yes. As far as big moves the Bruins might be involved in, those are really the only two players I see being possible pieces of a deal..not necessarily saying it would be part of the same deal. I just see those two being players the Bs MIGHT consider moving…together, separately, whatever..If Seguin can step up in that role, Krejci and a draft pick or prospect should do it but anything more is not worth it. Ryan and Krejci basically have the same offensive output.

I don’t disagree with you adding Chara, Seidenberg or Bergeron to that list, but Lucic & Subban?
I’m a Bruins season ticket holder & would drive Lucic to the airport myself if we got a good enough deal for him. He’s a good player, but the early comparisons to Neely were insanely premature. I feel like we’ve been waiting for this guy to turn a corner for a few years now & it still hasn’t happened.
To say Subban is untouchable is also a little premature. It’s not like he was the 1st goalie picked, or went in the top 20. I will want to see more of what he can do before putting him in that category.

dolanster - Jul 15, 2012 at 11:28 PM

Understand your feelings (which I share) re: Looch, but I just don’t think he’ll be moved. Too much of a firestorm in the media if that happened and the result wasn’t amazing. Subban — you just don’t move a kid with potential like that after you get him. You don’t move him from the untouchable list until you see what he can do, and with goalies, it takes time. In 3-4-5 years, B’s may need one desperately and it would suck to have given him up if he turns out to be a star.

ocramfan22 - Jul 14, 2012 at 1:31 PM

Even though the Ducks are our main rival, I would love to see Ryan in the black & white of the cup champs! He is a true power forward in the NHL.